Hednesford nurse jailed for six months over animal cruelty
A nurse from Hednesford was today behind bars after being jailed for six months for appalling neglect of her pet dog.
Christine Smith allowed her 12-year-old collie Lucy to suffer with a skin infection so severe that even vets who were forced to put the dog to sleep were shocked.
Smith, aged 50, of Maycroft Close, sobbed throughout the hearing at Cannock Magistrates Court yesterday.
The court was told how she had failed to take Lucy for treatment, telling RSPCA officers she had been afraid she would lose the dog which she had cared for since it was three weeks old and saw her as a "child".
Lucy had previously suffered from the condition in 2009 and been treated by vets with antibiotics.
Cruel owner chose holidays over dog - See today's Express & Star
